Redalyc.Visiting a Hindu Temple: a Description of a Subjective
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Ciencia Ergo Sum ISSN: 1405-0269 [email protected] Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México México Gil-García, J. Ramón; Vasavada, Triparna S. Visiting a Hindu Temple: A Description of a Subjective Experience and Some Preliminary Interpretations Ciencia Ergo Sum, vol. 13, núm. 1, marzo-junio, 2006, pp. 81-89 Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México Toluca, México Disponible en: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=10413110 Cómo citar el artículo Número completo Sistema de Información Científica Más información del artículo Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina, el Caribe, España y Portugal Página de la revista en redalyc.org Proyecto académico sin fines de lucro, desarrollado bajo la iniciativa de acceso abierto Visiting a Hindu Temple: A Description of a Subjective Experience and Some Preliminary Interpretations J. Ramón Gil-García* y Triparna S. Vasavada** Recepción: 14 de julio de 2005 Aceptación: 8 de septiembre de 2005 * Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, Visitando un Templo Hindú: una descripción de la experiencia subjetiva y algunas University at Albany, Universidad Estatal de interpretaciones preliminares Nueva York. Resumen. Académicos de diferentes disciplinas coinciden en que la cultura es un fenómeno Correo electrónico: [email protected] ** Estudiante del Doctorado en Administración complejo y su comprensión requiere de un análisis detallado. La complejidad inherente al y Políticas Públicas en el Rockefeller College of estudio de patrones culturales y otras estructuras sociales no se deriva de su rareza en la Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, sociedad. De hecho, están contenidas y representadas en eventos y artefactos de la vida cotidiana. Universidad Estatal de Nueva York. Sin embargo, probablemente debido a esta frecuente interacción, en muchas ocasiones los individuos consideran obvia la existencia de estas estructuras macro-sociales y por tanto se vuelven difíciles de percibir. Un templo Hindú es un lugar en el que los artefactos físicos y las interacciones sociales reflejan ciertos patrones culturales y determinadas estructuras sociales. Este estudio proporciona una descripción detallada del espacio físico y una interpretación preliminar de los artefactos y acciones observadas dentro de un templo Hindú en los Estados Unidos. Algunos datos históricos y contextuales relevantes son proporcionados para enriquecer la presentación. Palabras clave: Cultura, Estructuras Sociales, Hinduismo, Observación, Experiencia Subjetiva. Abstract. Scholars form different disciplines would agree that culture is a complex phenomenon requiring careful analysis to be understood. The complexity of studying cultural patterns and other general social structures does not arise from their rarity in society. In fact, they are instantiated in everyday events and artifacts. However, probably due to this frequent interaction, individuals often take these macro-social structures for granted, and therefore they are difficult to be perceived. A Hindu temple is a place in which physical artifacts and social interactions reflect certain cultural patterns and social structures. This study provides a rich description of the physical setting and preliminary interpretation of the artifacts and actions observed inside a Hindu temple in the United States. Some relevant historical and contextual backgrounds is provided to enrich the presentation. Key words. Culture, Social Structures, Hinduism, Observation, Subjective Experience. CIENCIA ergo sum, Vol. 13-1, marzo-junio 20062006. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México. Pp. 81-89. 81 Introduction The paper is divided into three sec- The sanctorum is very illuminated tions. Section One gives a rich and de- and has a red carpet on the floor. The Visiting a Hindu temple can be a very tailed description of the temple’s physi- natural illumination comes mainly from enriching experience for those inter- cal setting, specifically its main room, a crystal dome located in the middle ested in understanding other realities the sanctorum. This section includes of the roof and several windows and visions of the world. Religion and explanations of some of the main gods. around the upper part of the room. religious experiences are important In Section Two, the religious ceremony, The room is prism-shaped, with six or cultural aspects of people from differ- or Puja, is described, and some of the seven sides. To the right of the entrance ent national backgrounds. Learning meanings of its actions are explained. inside the sanctorum is a bell. After the about the religious experiences of vari- Section Three gives a preliminary and bell is a first altar dedicated to the Snake ous social groups can provide signifi- subjective interpretation of some of God. This altar, which is about seven cant insights into other characteristics the actions and symbols inside a Hindu feet high, has a rectangular base, with of these cultures and their diversity. temple and their relationships with pillars supporting a pyramidal roof. On For instance, the Hindu religion can be Hindu culture and society. It also pre- this altar are three human-like figures characterized as a Banyan tree with sents a brief historical background of made of black stone. The one in the many branches and roots. The branches Hindu religion and some of the rea- middle is the Snake God, who is in the of Banyan trees develop their own sons why temples are important in company of his daughter and wife. All roots, and the tree grows forever. Al- Hindu culture. Finally, we present some three have a halo made of snakes. The though the Banyan tree has many final comments and reflections. tails of the snakes are in the backs of branches, roots, leaves, and flowers, it the gods, and the body and heads form is only a single entity. Just like the Ban- 1. The Temple: Describing the the halo around the gods' heads. These yan tree, Hinduism is an ever-growing Physical Setting gods are dressed in what seems to be unified entity, with ongoing diverse traditional Indian silk clothes or royal beliefs and customs. The temple is a white building with apparel, because in Hindu mythology This paper presents a subjective ex- numerous (approximately seven) red many of the gods are regarded as kings perience of being in a Hindu temple. domes or cupolas. The cupolas are not in the land of gods. Observation is a powerful technique hemispherical, but pyramidal, with The next altar is square based, with for understanding a cultural setting by square bases. The temple typically oc- a pyramidal roof supported by four investigating and discovering social pre- cupies a large area, and despite the pillars. This is the altar of the planets. mises and basic behavioral assump- houses around it, gives the appearance It is believed each planet moves at its tions. The researcher subjectively cap- of a very open space with plenty of own speed around the earth. The posi- tures this cultural aspect through his trees and vegetation. Entrance is tion of these planets and their inter- or her interaction with the physical ar- through a lateral door, which opens to sections at different times of the year tifacts and social actors. A Hindu a small room similar to a lobby, with a influence the earth and the lives of temple is a place in which artifacts and big closet where people leave their jack- humans on earth. The human-like fig- social interactions reflect cultural pat- ets, coats, and shoes. Clothes hangers ures, icons of different gods represent- terns and other social structures. are available for jackets and coats, and ing nine planets, are placed in a 3x3 Throughout the different sections, this little square cabinets are available for matrix. They each face a different di- paper guides the reader to an under- accommodating shoes. The room is a rection, because each planet is placed standing of the different facets of Hin- little dark and, apart from the closet, is in its own particular direction in rela- duism and the experience of being in a furnished only with a red carpet that tion to other planets. These human-like temple and participating in a puja. Puja leads to one of the entrances to a big figures carved in black stone represent is an act of worship or reverence to a hall. After taking off their shoes and the planets Mars, Mercury, Venus, Ju- god and can be done as part of a Hindu jackets in this lobby, devotees follow piter, and Saturn as well as the moon religious service. This study attempts to the red carpet into the hall, or sanc- and the sun, and two other planets provide a rich description of the setting torum, which accommodates images called Rahu and Ketu, which do not and also a preliminary interpretation of of different gods. This is the main part have any physical or celestial bodies like the symbols, actions, and meanings of of the temple, and the principal venue the other planets do. Rahu and Ketu the temple and the puja. for pujas to the gods. are at the northerly and southerly points 82 GIL-GARCÍA, J. R. Y T. S. VASAVADA VISITING A HINDU TEMPLE: A DESCRIPTION OF... at which the Moon crosses the ecliptic Picture 1. Outside the Temple or the path of the Sun respectively. Rahu is exactly 180 degrees away from Ketu (for more information see Kak, 1996). According to Hinduism, these are very sensitive and effective points, which have a powerful influence on human affairs. Following this altar is another, long altar formed by three square white spaces, covered with ceramic tiles. They have flowers and a ghee (a kind of butter) lamp in front of each god. All the deities seem to be made of marble. A male figure called Swaminarayan occupies the first space. He is not dressed in fabric but rather has clothes Picture 2. Inside the Temple painted in orange.